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Spring is here!
Or at least that’s what it says on the calendar…
While it may not be feeling like spring outside in my neck of the woods, I’ve definitely been connecting with the energy of the season – of growth, of renewal and change.
Over the past few months, there’s been a lot going on at Five Winds – Performance & Wellness Coaching.
New projects have come my way and I’ve also been buckling down, working hard on finishing some current projects to get them out to you soon. All this activity is also bringing about a few changes to this blog space and how I communicate with you.
Read on to catch all the details!
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Biggest News!
The biggest project I’ve been working on is finishing my Post-Performance Recovery E-book, which will be available in Fall 2018!
Yay! I’m so excited that the book will be out there soon!
I started this project almost 2 years ago and it has been quite a journey to get...

“If you're having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down. For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of creativity. It has allowed me to open up--to know that there's life under the earth and that I have to let it come through me in a new way.”
-Natalie Goldberg
When I first connected with Chelsea Johnson a few months ago, I knew I had met someone special.
Our initial conversation, meant to be a quick meet-and-greet, lasted over an hour and a half and I left feeling energized, motivated and oh so positive about myself, my work and my life!
Because that’s what Chelsea does – she’s a dynamic actor and singer, lifestyle entrepreneur, and the creator of Cue to Cue: The Performer’s Podcast – and she’s made it her mission uplift and inspire artists to embrace their authentic talents and live their most creative lives, day in and day out, no matter the situation.
And let me tell you,...

Hi Friends!
So we’ve come to the end of the month and with it, the end of the Olympics.
As I slowly begin to return to my normal sleep schedule, I’ve found myself reflecting on the Games and the lessons they’ve left with me. Over the past two weeks of competition, I’ve watched both triumphs and misses – many athletes peaking at the right time to have the performance of their life, and others feeling off on what seems like exactly the wrong day.
Elite level athletes know that both these outcomes are possible in an intense competition situation, but their ability to handle both the thrill of the win or the devastation of the loss comes from having a strong and dedicated team behind them.
It’s about having people there who help them prepare – physically, mentally and emotionally – for the for all the ups and downs they may experience, and having people to help them rebalance and reset after a competition...

Teams that breathe together, win together.
Are you as addicted to the Olympics as I am?
While I haven’t been a full-on night owl, reversing my sleep schedule to catch as many events as possible live, I have definitely had my fair share of late nights falling asleep on the couch as I try to catch the last run of a snowboard final or the final end of a curling match.
But on Monday night, I was wide awake with focused attention to watch Canadian ice dance champions, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, battle it out for gold and the chance to become the most decorated Olympic figure skaters of all time.
If you’re not familiar with the global phenomenon that is Tessa & Scott, let me give you a brief intro.
Vaulted onto the world stage in 2010 by a gold medal win at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, this pair of ice dancers have captivated viewers over the years with not only their...

Hi Friends!
Welcome to the January edition of Spotlights & Insights, my monthly wrap-up of the best resources I’ve come across this month on performing and wellness.
I’ve been playing around with the format of these post for the past few months, and while you may not notice anything different, I’ve been trying to make this space little more fun and casual – easier for me to get my thoughts out there and easier for you to find the resources you need.
Much of this has grown out of a re-examination of what I value about this blog and also what materials, exercises and resources I hope are of value to you as a reader. For me, this has meant removing some of the pressure I felt from having to stick to a format that wasn’t working for me anymore. It was removing much of the joy I have in writing and blogging and replacing it with a lot of unnecessary stress –...

When I was young, I asked for a CD player for Christmas. I told my Dad that I wanted to listen to “real music” on it, meaning I was done with listening to the “kid” music I had grown up with – no offense to the likes of Fred Penner, Raffi and Sharon, Lois and Bram who I still have great love and respect for now as an adult.
My Dad, the music aficionado he is and always loving a challenge, came back with three options for me – a Dance Mix album (remember those?), Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette and Pieces of You by Jewel.
Way to go, Dad! ????
And while all those albums ended up playing on repeat in my new player, a special place in my heart grew for Jewel.
Even at a young age I was struck by the depth of her lyrics, the way they tugged at my heart. And while at the time I didn’t fully...

Do you hear that? It’s the New Year approaching!
While this monthly wrap-up post is usually filled with new ideas, updates and helpful links, I thought this month called for something different.
As the dust settles on another holiday season, and we prepare to turn the calendar page to a new year in just a few days, it’s important to find some space to appreciate all you have and all the year has brought you.
For some of us, the year may have been one of progress and growth, of discovering new opportunities or connecting with new people. But mixed in with all that, there were likely moments of sadness and struggle, where unexpected events brought challenges to your life that perhaps you’re still working through.
It’s easy at this time of year, on the threshold of the New Year, to get stuck on those challenging memories. This is often what happens to us when we’re feeling drained and low on energy – usually...

Happy Holidays!
Whether your calendar is full of events, parties and family dinners, or a long “to-do” list of everything that needs to be accomplished before the end of the year - there’s no doubt that December is a busy month.
It’s this busy-ness that also makes December a month all about performing – and not necessarily in the way you expect it.
Sure, if you’re an artist you may have a couple extra gigs on the go, or if you’re a winter sport athlete a couple of tournaments coming up. Maybe you have a few speaking gigs, or a couple of last minute presentations to help seal up some new deals before the end of the year.
All this in a regular month would be enough of a workout for our performing muscles.
But in December, there’s more.
For many of us, all these events and holiday parties are not just about getting into the festive spirit.
They’re networking opportunities.
They’re places we can sidle up...

Spotlights & Insights, Vol. 3 – November 2017
The leaves are off the trees, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the holiday season is upon us - even if the weather this week in southern Ontario was 15C!
November has been a busy month of finding inspiration, searching out new ideas and stoking the creative fires. I’ve collected some amazing resources to help you keep your creative spark burning brightly in the winter months to come.
And if you’re feeling the holiday jitters already starting to creep in – don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Find out more in my Updates & News section.
Let’s dive in! ????
My November “Aha!” – Shake It Up!
Whether you’re an artist, athlete, teacher, speaker or entrepreneur creativity is essential to your success.
Your ability to see things differently and to experiment with things that have never been done before is what makes you good at what you do.
And keeping your creative spark alive and burning is an important part...

This week, I've been feeling stuck!
I've had so many work items on my plate - many of which are things I have never done before and are pushing me way outside of my comfort zone - that I've been left feeling uninspired and unsure of how to get started on anything.
I know I'm not alone in this. I've heard from a lot of people this week, both in person and online, who are feeling the same - uninspired and stuck. Whether it's the news, the state of the world, or the change in weather and daylight, it seems many of us right now are struggling to find the motivation to do the work we need to do.
I think it's natural to feel this way when approaching new things or feeling overwhelmed by choices. And it's especially difficult when we feel the pressures of time and responsibility weighing on us. We don't want to make a wrong decision, so our bodies and...

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Five Winds Blog

Hi! I'm Mairin Smit, Performance & Wellness Coach.

This blog is where I share thoughts and insights on performing and wellness, and offer tips and ideas on how to stay balanced and healthy (body, mind, emotions and spirit) while living the life of a performer. :)